Lies, damn lies, and statistics. The best and worst of statistics and analysis is that numbers can be massaged for own purposes. If producers where negatively weighted by size of production and range of products, Jordan would probably have placed first overall, but with the inclusion of brandy at Veritas and a considerable vintage cellar, KWV once again topped the medal count followed by another behemoth Nederburg. KWV received 5, Nederburg 4 and Jordan 3 double gold (DG). Two of KWV's doubles were for brandewyn and two in museum class.
The other top achieving wine cellars in terms of DG and gold (G) medals include: Simonsig (2 DG, 7 G), Boplaas Family Vineyards (2 DG, 3 G), Cederberg Private Cellar (2 DG, 2 G), Windmeul (2 DG, 2 G) and Guardian Peak (2 DG, 1 G).
Nederburg impressed with four double gold medals for their Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve NLH 2010, a Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2008, a Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc 2004 and the Private Bin R181 Merlot 2007.
Jordan Wine estate from Stellenbosch bagged a trio of double gold medals for their Nine Yards Chardonnay 2011, the Jordan Chardonnay 2010 and the Cobblers Hill 2008.
Boplaas received two double golds for their Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 and 2010.
Two double gold medals also went to Cederberg Private Cellar, SA’s highest altitude cellar, for their Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 and the Shiraz 2010.
Stellenbosch based Guardian Peak was honoured with a duo of double golds for their Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 and the Guardian Peak SMG 2010.
Simonsig, where generations of Malans have been making wine since 1688, won two double gold medals for their Redhill Pinotage 2009 and the Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc 2012.
Windmeul Cellar, situated in the heart of the Paarl Winelands, has become known for its double gold winning Pinotage. This year is no exception as their Reserve Pinotage 2011 came up trumps together with their Sauvignon Blanc 2012.
Sauvignon Blanc topped this year’s entries with 211 entries, followed by Shiraz (181) and Cabernet Sauvignon (146). Despite these numbers, red blends topped the list of gold medal winners with 16 awards while unoaked Sauvignon Blanc took the lead in the double gold medal stakes with 8 awards. However Cabernet Sauvignon placed third in double golds and second in gold medal count.
Brandy secured 8 DG as follows - KWV’s 15 and 20 year brandy, as well as to Van Ryn’s 10 and 15 year old brandy, Flight of the Fish Eagle, Klipdrift Gold and Oude Meester 12 Year Reserve.
Taste the Gold
Cape Town tasting on 16 October in the Strelitzia Conservatory and Restaurant, CTICC Ground floor, from 17:00 to 20:00 at R140pp. On 24 October (17:00 to 20:00) it is the turn of wine lovers in the Johannesburg area (Bill Gallagher Room of the Sandton Convention Centre at R150). The Durban tasting takes place on 7 November (17:00 to 20:00) at the Function Room, Deloittes Head Office in Umhlanga, at R110 a ticket. These sessions include a tasting of the 2012 Qualité Cheeses and light snacks.
The sit-down tasting session at the Squires Legendary Grill in the Boardwalk Centre in Beach Road, Port Elizabeth, takes place on 13 November (18:00 to 19:30) at R110 per person. Knysna’s Kilzers Kitchen offers enthusiasts two opportunities: a dinner combined with a tasting on 14 November from 19:00 onwards at R250 pp, as well as a tasting with light snacks on 15 November (18:00 to 20:00) at R95.
Tickets for the tastings in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban are available from Computicket, but bookings for the Port Elizabeth and Knysna events have to be made with the various organisers. Information about these events is available at www.veritas.co.za or contact Elsabé Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599 or via email to admin@veritas.co.za.
The other top achieving wine cellars in terms of DG and gold (G) medals include: Simonsig (2 DG, 7 G), Boplaas Family Vineyards (2 DG, 3 G), Cederberg Private Cellar (2 DG, 2 G), Windmeul (2 DG, 2 G) and Guardian Peak (2 DG, 1 G).
With most pundits talking up the category and it performing better elsewhere, it was surprsing to see no DG for Pinot Noir and a mere single gold for Groote Post 09. Did the usual suspects not enter? The Other Red Cultivars panel (inc Cabernet Franc and Pinot) comprised Colin Frith, Christine Rudman, Andy Roediger, Pieter Ferreira, Razvan
Macici, Johann Fourie and Linley Schultz.
Good value must surely be found in; Villiera Chenin Blanc 2011 (DG), Bon Courage Hillside White 2012 (G), Bon Courage Chardonnay 2012 (G, unwooded), Bergsig Sauvignon Blanc (G) 2012, Christina Van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (DG), Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (DG), Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (DG), Klawer Cellars Viogner 2011 (G, wooded), BC Wines Shiraz Rose 2012 (G), Landskroon Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (G), Spencer Bay Winemakers Reserve (red blend) 2009 (G), Woolworths Winemaster's Reserve Grenache (Nederburg) 2010 (G), Rooiberg Winery Red Muscadel 2009 (DG),
Writer's special mention - Tokara Pinotage (DG) 2010, Goede Hoop Straw Wine (DG) 2010.
KWV’s double gold medal yield honoured the following
fine wines: The Mentors Pinotage 2010, The Mentor Shiraz 2010, 1933
White Jerepigo Limited Edition, 1969 Hanepoot Jerepigo and a non-vintage
Classic Collection Cape Tawny.Nederburg impressed with four double gold medals for their Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve NLH 2010, a Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2008, a Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc 2004 and the Private Bin R181 Merlot 2007.
Jordan Wine estate from Stellenbosch bagged a trio of double gold medals for their Nine Yards Chardonnay 2011, the Jordan Chardonnay 2010 and the Cobblers Hill 2008.
Boplaas received two double golds for their Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 and 2010.
Two double gold medals also went to Cederberg Private Cellar, SA’s highest altitude cellar, for their Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 and the Shiraz 2010.
Stellenbosch based Guardian Peak was honoured with a duo of double golds for their Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 and the Guardian Peak SMG 2010.
Simonsig, where generations of Malans have been making wine since 1688, won two double gold medals for their Redhill Pinotage 2009 and the Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc 2012.
Windmeul Cellar, situated in the heart of the Paarl Winelands, has become known for its double gold winning Pinotage. This year is no exception as their Reserve Pinotage 2011 came up trumps together with their Sauvignon Blanc 2012.
Sauvignon Blanc topped this year’s entries with 211 entries, followed by Shiraz (181) and Cabernet Sauvignon (146). Despite these numbers, red blends topped the list of gold medal winners with 16 awards while unoaked Sauvignon Blanc took the lead in the double gold medal stakes with 8 awards. However Cabernet Sauvignon placed third in double golds and second in gold medal count.
Brandy secured 8 DG as follows - KWV’s 15 and 20 year brandy, as well as to Van Ryn’s 10 and 15 year old brandy, Flight of the Fish Eagle, Klipdrift Gold and Oude Meester 12 Year Reserve.
Taste the Gold
Cape Town tasting on 16 October in the Strelitzia Conservatory and Restaurant, CTICC Ground floor, from 17:00 to 20:00 at R140pp. On 24 October (17:00 to 20:00) it is the turn of wine lovers in the Johannesburg area (Bill Gallagher Room of the Sandton Convention Centre at R150). The Durban tasting takes place on 7 November (17:00 to 20:00) at the Function Room, Deloittes Head Office in Umhlanga, at R110 a ticket. These sessions include a tasting of the 2012 Qualité Cheeses and light snacks.
The sit-down tasting session at the Squires Legendary Grill in the Boardwalk Centre in Beach Road, Port Elizabeth, takes place on 13 November (18:00 to 19:30) at R110 per person. Knysna’s Kilzers Kitchen offers enthusiasts two opportunities: a dinner combined with a tasting on 14 November from 19:00 onwards at R250 pp, as well as a tasting with light snacks on 15 November (18:00 to 20:00) at R95.
Tickets for the tastings in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban are available from Computicket, but bookings for the Port Elizabeth and Knysna events have to be made with the various organisers. Information about these events is available at www.veritas.co.za or contact Elsabé Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599 or via email to admin@veritas.co.za.
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